Q. I really can't give up chicken. Is it okay for my diet if I coat chicken breast in frying powder and bake it in the oven? Do you recommend it?

Maintaining a strict diet with only dry chicken breast can be mentally exhausting, so I completely understand the desire for a tastier alternative. From the perspective of Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), oven-baking is beneficial as it removes excess grease. Greasy, deep-fried foods tend to accumulate 'Damp-Heat' (濕熱)—unnecessary waste and heat—in the body. Using an oven minimizes this accumulation while providing essential protein and satisfying cravings to prevent binge eating. However, caution is still needed. Frying powder is essentially refined flour, which is a primary cause of 'Spleen Deficiency' (脾虛) in TKM. Refined powders can weaken digestive energy and make the body feel heavy. Furthermore, meat hardened by oven-baking can lead to 'Food Stagnation' (食積) for those with weak stomachs, causing bloating and indigestion. I recommend using this as a healthy alternative for when cravings hit, rather than a daily staple. To make it even healthier, try mixing almond flour or oat flour into the coating; this helps prevent Spleen Deficiency and adds beneficial fiber. The key to a successful long-term diet is enjoying food wisely according to your body's digestive capacity.